In a quiet coastal town, beneath a mild summer sun, he sat on his wooden chair at a café overlooking the sea. The sea breeze gently brushed against his face as he watched the café's visitors with a faint smile, partially hidden behind his sunglasses and straw hat.
A waiter approached, holding a menu.
– “Here you go, sir—the menu.”
– “No need for it… just a cup of coffee, please.”
– “As you wish, sir.”
A pleasant calm filled the place, interrupted only by scattered whispers and light laughter. Moments later, the atmosphere was pierced by the ring of his phone. He picked it up, eyeing the unfamiliar number before answering.
– “Hello?”
– “Hi.”
– “Hello, who’s this?”
– “Who I am doesn’t matter… what matters is: are you ready for the test?”
He chuckled, puzzled:
– “I think you’ve got the wrong number, haha.”
– “No, I didn’t. I meant you—specifically.”
– “Excuse me?! Who are you?”
– “I told you, that’s not important. Just answer me… are you ready?”
He hung up, muttering:
– “Probably a lunatic.”
The waiter returned with the coffee.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
– “Here you are, sir.”
– “Thanks.”
Just as he raised the cup to his lips, the phone rang again. Same number.
– “What do you want now?”
– “Are you ready?”
– “Ready for what?!”
– “For the test…”
He sighed in frustration, then said:
– “Alright, fine. I’m ready.”
– “Excellent…”
And the call ended.
But something wasn’t right...
A sudden stillness swept through the place. It was as if time had stopped. He looked around—the entire café had fallen silent. Everyone was frozen. No movement, no sound, no life.
– “Waiter!!”
No response.
He raised his voice:
– “Waiter!!!”
He stood up, searching. He found him standing beside the coffee machine—motionless, unblinking.
Panic began to creep into his chest. He rushed out of the café and found the street just the same—people frozen like statues. Children, adults, even birds perched on the poles… all still.
– “What is this nonsense?!”
He ran to his car, slid into the driver’s seat, and tried to start the engine… nothing. No sign of life.
He looked around—and saw someone approaching. The man’s face was unclear, his expression calm to the point of being terrifying. He was murmuring words too faint to understand.
The figure came closer and spoke clearly:
– “Are you ready for the test?”
He gasped—he recognized the voice.
– “You! You’re the one who called me!”
– “I told you… that’s not important.”
– “Who are you? What’s going on?!”
– “My name is Seraphin… just answer me. Are you ready for the test?”
He gasped—he knew the voice.
– “You! You're the one who kept calling me!”
– “I told you… that’s not important.”
– “Who are you? What is this?!”
– “My name is Seraphin… just answer me. Are you ready for the test?”
He shouted in anger:
– “To hell with your test—and to hell with you, you lunatic!”
– “Are… you… ready?”
His expression didn’t change. It was as if he were a machine speaking on command.
He exhaled hard, then said, forcing each word through clenched teeth:
– “Yes. I’m ready for your damn test.”
Seraphin raised his hand and pointed behind him. He turned… and there stood an old church, tall and solemn amidst the stillness.
– “What? A church?! What does that place have to do with anything?”
– “Go to it… if you’re truly ready.”
He walked toward it, each step heavier than the last. He pushed the church door open—a trembling creak echoed. Dust filled the air, and the furniture was draped in tattered sheets.
He looked up and was stunned—red lines stretched across the walls and up to the ceiling… all converging at a single point… where a key dangled.
He took it and left the church, searching for a lock it might fit. Then he noticed an old, sealed side cellar door. He inserted the key… and felt fear spreading inside him like mold.
Where had Seraphin gone? He was no longer there.
The sun was beginning to set. He pulled the door to
open it… and just as he was about to take a step—he felt a violent shove from behind.
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